The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength
Nehemiah 8:10
When the post-exilic people of Israel saw the drab representation of the new temple they had just constructed, they couldn't help but compare it to the former glory of the previous, immaculate temple. This had been the “Throne of God,” the place where the glory of Israel had been most pronounced. But their arrogance in seeking to control God, worship idols, and a failure to care for the most vulnerable among them had brought about God’s judgement– the destruction of Israel, the leveling of the temple, and the scattering of the people into exile.
Now they stared at their hastily erected place of worship and couldn't help but think of all the pain and sorrow that came with disobedience. They were nowhere near the size and stature of a nation that they had been before, so the people wept.
Nehemiah here encourages the nation, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Remember the Lord, the one who brought you up out of Egypt. Remember how he worked through the judges and prophets. This same God is with us now, leading us, directing us in the way of obedience. Focus on his joy.
It is very easy to look back on all the pains of our past– the betrayal, the words that cut so deep, the pain of losing those we loved dearly. It may happen that we compare past generations to our own. We look at the size of our church then… and now. This is understandable and perhaps even inevitable. And like the people of Israel we weep out of a longing for the past, but the joy of the Lord is our strength. The God who led the church 2,000 years ago, 200 years ago, 20 years ago is still leading us even now. The strength of the church is never in its size, its programs, or its popularity. The strength of the church is now and has always been in our God. He is our strength. And if he led us then, he will lead us now. The task then before us is to seek to be faithful to his calling as his Spirit directs.
So weep when necessary. And stand when ready. The joy of the Lord is our strength.
Announcements:
Adult Sunday School Class starts back up on Sept. 7th at 9:45
Mitchell and Sarah Davidson will be hosting a weekly Bible Study at their house starting this Thursday (6-8) at their house
Their address and number are listed below
Fall Festival/Harvest Festival will be Oct. 25.
Sign up sheet is at the back of the sanctuary
Children’s Church (Preschool and Elementary School) Sunday School teachers are need
Sign up sheet is at the back of the sanctuary
Meal for Peterson Elementary Staff is scheduled for Sept. 5th
Trail Life will be starting back up soon
Speak with Pastor Steven or Damon Hargraves for more information
Church Weekly Schedule
Sunday worship at 11am
Sunday School at 9:45am (starts back up on Sept. 7th)
I will be teaching through the Gospel According to Matthew
Wednesday Prayer Posse 12pm
Thursday Bible Study with Mitchell and Sarah
6-8pm
1815 E Rezanof Dr.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Mitchell (907-942-0381)
Pastor Steven’s Office Hours 8-4 Mon-Thursday
If the light is on in the office, I am here
If I am not in the office at these times, I am meeting with someone out of office
Call or text me 972-921-2516
Email steven@kodiakcbc.org